“Music is the most euphoric part”: Behind the scenes at Jeremy Deller’s Venice Biennale show “English Magic”

Mini-doc in which Jeremy Deller discusses his show and accompanying EP “English Magic”, offering a glimpse of the exhibition and party at the Venice Biennale this year.

Chosen for the British pavilion at the 55th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, Jeremy Deller has turned to the country’s rich and varied musical heritage for inspiration, with the soundtrack to his film “English Magic” to be released as a limited edition EP by The Vinyl Factory.

The eclectic picture of England Deller presents in “English Magic” through a series of stunning slow motion bird shots, a wintry scrapyard, an inflatable stonehenge and a street parade is reflected in the accompanying soundtrack; a 3 track EP that draws on three major junctures in UK music history.

Drenched in cultural significance and recorded at the iconic Abbey Road studios in London, Deller has called upon South London English/Trinidadian steel band the Melodians Steel Orchestra to interpret composer Vaughan Williams’ ‘Symphony in D minor’, seminal UK acid house track “Voodoo Ray” by A Guy Called Gerald and David Bowie’s 1971 pop refrain “The Man Who Sold The World”, for what is a daring and evocative celebration of modern day England.

In this short video, Deller discusses the significance of music in his work, the reasons behind his choice of songs and offers a glimpse of the exhibition’s opening and party, hosted by The Vinyl Factory in Venice last week.

Jeremy Deller’s British Council commission is at La Biennale di Venezia until 24th November and will tour national UK venues in 2014. Click here for more info. For more information about the EP and to order a signed (or unsigned) copy, visit our shop.